Arlene Joyce Nelson Balfour
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Arlene Joyce Nelson Balfour, 86, of Leesburg, Virginia passed away, on Sunday, November 14, 2021.
She was born on June 17, 1935, in Raymond, Washington to Crystal Mae Gilliam and Arlington Jefferson Nelson. She attended high school in Portland, Oregon, and college at Oregon State University. Her former husband Ronald's career with Shell Chemical took the family to live in Torrance, California; Old Greenwich, Connecticut; Houston, Texas; and Marietta, Ohio. She lived her final years at the Spring Arbor Senior living facility in Leesburg, Virginia where she was loved and cared for by a special staff.
Although Shell Chemical took the family to many cities, Arlene lived in Marietta the longest and she cherished the town and her condo on the Ohio River. Arlene dedicated her time to volunteering and especially enjoyed giving to the hospital's cancer center, the blood mobile, The Castle, and the Sternwheel Festival.
In addition to her gift of philanthropy, Arlene was an artist and seamstress. Her lovely watercolors hang in the homes of her children and grandchildren. As a seamstress, she started sewing the fashions of the 1950's and 60's but transitioned into school clothes, doll clothes and Halloween costumes as her family grew.
Arlene is survived by her children, Yvonne Balfour (Bill Bell), Dana Briggs (Alan), Todd Balfour (Lisa); grandchildren, Kristopher (Tanya), Nicholas (Marissa), Stephany (Marcos), Casey (MacKenzie), and Justin (Yvonne); great grandchildren, Lucas, Madeline, Mora, William and Elizabeth; and her nieces, Nancy and Suzanne from Australia. She was predeceased by her parents, her older sister, Crystal Yvonne, and her granddaughter, Katy.
A private family service will be held to honor her life in the spring of 2022. Considering her life of volunteering and philanthropy, donations may be made in Arlene's memory to Capital Caring Hospice of Arlington, VA, the Marietta (Ohio) Sternwheel Festival, The Castle of Marietta, Ohio, or the Strecker Cancer Center also of Marietta.
Arrangements made by Hall Funeral Home in Purcellville, VA.